Potassium Ferrate A Novel Oxidizing Reagent Based on Potassium Ferrate(VI)
Mechanism + Description
The mechanism for K2FeO4 oxidations is widely agreed to follow the a similar mechanism to that of Chromium (VI) reagents.
General comments
K2FeO4 is a widely used oxidant employed in remediation of contaminated waste streams. There are reports of its use synthetically. It reacts in a similar mechanism to Cr (VI) reagents, but without the toxicity or environmental contamination concerns. High cost of commercial material could be a barrier to use, for remediation, it is usually prepared in situ. Solid-supported variants have been reported. Environmentally the reagent produces iron oxides, so it is reasonably benign for the environment.
Key references
Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry (2004), 10(1), 161-171 – oxidations using ferrate (Fe(VI)) in aq. Systems and applications as a green chemical
Canadian Journal of Chemistry (1997), 75(2), 129-139 – Secondary alcohol oxidation
Journal of Organic Chemistry (1996), 61(18), 6360-6370 – Efficient preparation and examples of use
Chemistry Letters (1978), (12), 1397-8 – early use and examples of potassium ferrate (VI)
Relevant scale up example
No scale up examples identified